Catenaa, Friday, June 13, 2025- Artificial intelligence-powered deepfake scams fueled a surge in crypto fraud, with global losses hitting $4.6 billion in 2024, according to a new 2025 Anti-Scam Research Report released June 10.
The report, co-authored by crypto exchange Bitget, blockchain security firm SlowMist, and analytics provider Elliptic, highlights a rising wave of sophisticated scams exploiting AI technology.
The study revealed that at least 87 AI-driven scam rings were dismantled in the first quarter of 2025 alone. These groups used synthetic videos, fake Zoom calls, Trojan-laden job offers, and deepfake impersonations of trusted crypto figures to deceive victims worldwide and steal millions.
Bitget CEO Gracy Chen said the main threat to crypto today is deception accelerated by AI. She stressed the need for tech-driven solutions and ecosystem collaboration to fight fraud. Bitget has launched an “Anti-Scam Month” awareness campaign and created an Anti-Scam Hub backed by a $500 million Protection Fund to help victims.
The report identified three leading scam tactics: deepfake impersonations, social engineering, and Ponzi schemes disguised as DeFi or NFT projects. Criminals exploit cross-chain bridges and obfuscation tools to launder funds, complicating recovery efforts.
SlowMist and Elliptic underscored the evolving scam techniques and warned users to remain skeptical and vigilant. New scams include fake Zoom apps that give attackers control of victims’ devices during deepfake video calls.
Despite a 29% drop from 2021’s $14 billion, crypto fraud losses remain high, with experts estimating actual losses may exceed $12 billion. Social media platforms continue to be key venues for scams, with nearly 40% of regulators predicting AI will dominate crypto fraud tools.
